Let’s Compare Okanagan Crush Pad’s free form Cabernet Franc and Rosé Style Wines

Have you ever wanted to compare a Red and a Rosé wine made by the same winery and the same vintage? What are the differences and similarities between the two wines? I had that chance with Okanagan Crush Pad free form Cabernet Franc 2019 and Cabernet Franc Rosé 2019. Both come from an organically farmed vineyard in Osoyoos. One thing I like about it is that the wines are fermented in concrete and have no oak contact, so you are just tasting the fruit. These wines are organic and vegan-friendly.

My Wine Tasting Notes

Okanagan Crush Pad free form Cabernet Franc Rosé 2019 (BC ~$27.90)

Appearance: A lighter bright copper colour in the glass.
Nose: A medium intensity nose that is quite toasty/flint, with lesser red berries. Once the wine opens up a bit in the glass you start to get strawberry aromas as well.
Palate: This wine is dry but as it warms up tastes off-dry. It has a thicker, round mouthfeel, with a slight acidic prickle. An interesting waxy texture to start but fades with time in the glass. Light red cherries, strawberries and red fruit flavours, plus light pepperiness and flintiness.
Finish: A medium length finishing with toasty/flintiness and tart red fruits.

Rating: – A rosé with a mix of flint and red berries, and strawberry aromas with swirling. Dry with a round mouthfeel and waxy texture.  Light red fruit flavours plus pepperiness and flintiness.

Okanagan Crush Pad free form Cabernet Franc 2019 (BC ~$44.90)

Appearance:  A medium-minus intensity garnet that is about 65% clear from rim to core.
Nose: A medium-minus intensity nose with a blend of red fruits and sweet spices, along with a touch of cocoa and some smokiness with swirling.
Palate: This wine is dry with a medium body and medium-plus flavour intensity.  Lean with a light acidic prickle that makes the wine lively.  A mix of juicy and tart red fruit flavours, raspberries, tart red cherries and red brambleberries. Some salty minerality is evident.  A touch of leather toward the finish.  Very light, fine tannins from the grape skins.
Finish:  A medium-plus length finishing with red fruit, raspberries, light leather and pepperiness.  More acidity than any tannins on the finish.

No significant changes with decanting.

Rating: Light red fruit and sweet spice aromas.  This wine is dry, lean, with a lighter body.  A mix of juicy and tart red fruit flavours, pus some acidic prickle that makes the wine lively.

Where Can I Buy These Wines?

I don’t see these wines listed on the Okanagan Crush Pad website yet, but hopefully will show up soon.  The 2017 Cabernet Franc and 2018 Rosé are listed currently.  You can still give these wines a try as they should in general have similar characteristics.